The daily herald. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1886-1887, 1887-04-01
HONOLULU RIFLES.
Battalion Organization Effected Last
Night.

ASntOrd as captain some mOntnS dbO,
eliminated last night in the organiza.
ton of the corps into battalion Of two
fine companies. AT a. previous meet
ing the Rifles adopted battalion con-
sttution, and this meeting was set for
the division of the command into two,
the election Of officers for each and for
the battalion. OF one hundred and
six members on the roll, between eighty
and ninety were present, and under
Captain Ashford the meeting went
straight to business, despatching about
all that was feasible on the occasion
with expedition and in spirit Of har-
mony.
1t was decided to elect the addi-
tional officers required for the organ
ization of two companies, afterward to
divide the corps and have each com
pany elect its other officers, while the
commissioned officers should elect bat
talon officers. For the additional
captain, accordingly, First Lieutenant
II. f. Hebbard was nominated, and,
having no rival, was elected by accla-
nation. This selection for captain
made two first lieutenancies to fill
Sergeant j. W. Pratt and Corporal
c. w. Ashford we're nominated, and
the former receiving majority OF votes
was, on motion Of his unsuccessful rival,
accorded a unanimous vote.
For the other first lieutenancy, Cor
poral Ashford, Sergeant G. c. Strate-
meyer and Private S. J. Levey were
nominated. Sergeant Stratemeyer was
the choice on the ballots being counted,
and was declared elected.
For the new second lieutenancy Pri.
vate Hugh Gum, Corporal Ashford,
Private Levey, Corporal Alex. Robert
SON, Corporal c. r. Wilder and c. ].
Mccarthy we're nominated, the last
named from outside the roll Of mem
bers. On the first ballot Ashford re-
ceived 81 votes out of SO cast, which
being less than majority necessitated
a second ballot, and this time he re-
ceived 40 and was declared elected.
At this stage Captain Ashford gave
the order for the company two form in
line, which was obeyed with alacrity
and the men called off their numbers
Then the even numbered ones were
marched across the room and turned
. right about face, both lines closed
dressed and eyes fronted, and thu:
the Honolulu Rifles became to com
panies. No fairer or more equable
and at the same time expediuous
, mode of division could we'll be devised
Members of the corps, together witt
the few spectators present, were hearC
expressing admiration at the result o.
the speedy operation. So equal dis
tribution oftld and new members wa,
effected that it would be difficult &c
make a choice between the two com
panies in any respect
The commissioned officers then re.
tired to the officers room, to elect {
: Major for the battalion. They almos
: Immediately returned, when Captain
Hebbard announced the unanimou,
choice OF Captain Ashford to be Majo
commanding This made the election
of new captain necessity.
For that position Lieutenant w
Unger and Private J, II. Fisher wer,
t nominated, but the latter declining il
b favor of the former Second Lieutenan
Unger was declared elected Captain
vice V. V. Ashford, promoted to b,
+ Major. This was a single compan!
election, the officers having been pre-
e wously billeted to the different com
panies by lot fact omitted to b.
c stated above.
;, 1t now became necessary for tn
company to which Captain Unger be
longed to elect lieutenant in hi
!, place. Privates Gum and Fisher, Col
d porals Robertson and ]. Torbert, an
Sergeants J. Simonson and E. /
+ Bishop were nominated. Two ballot
were taken without result, Gum re
ceiving plurality of votes over ever
other candidate, but not the majorit
of those cast. He was successful, how
r ever, on the third ballot, obtaining a
e out of 80 votes.
h Major Ashford, after brief consult;
IF ton with the commissioned officers
n announced a selection of staff Officers
!, At the same time he stated that tn
l. seniority of company was determine
Ia by that of the captain, therefore tn
l. company commanded by Captain Hell
n bard was Company A., Captain Unger
d being Company b. Private Georg
lie Mcleod was announced as Adjutar
h of Staff; Drum Sergeant W. c. KIM
H. as Drum Major; Second Lieutenar
lie Gum, as Ordnance Officer; Mr. v
10 w. Hall from outside the battalion
ell as Quarter Master; Private Levey {
Assistant Adjutant, or Regimental Sc
geant Major.
On account of Lieutenant Gum
" promotion to staff officer, Company
n had now to elect a second lieutenan
Sergeants Bishop and Simonson, an